Biblí Svatá Aneb Vsecka Svatá Písma Starého Inového Zákonu [The Holy Bible Or All The Holy Scriptures Of The Old Testament] -

Praha [Prague]: Technologicko-Prumyslovým Museem [Technological Industrial Museum], 1914. Kucery, Jindr [Jindrich Kucera]. 16mo. (v), 10, (4)pp. A student production, heavily ornamented with Cubist design principles, including three initials, a woodcut illustration, black decorative borders, fully illustrated endpapers, and an spectacular gilt cover design. The raw, saturated decorations reflect the weight of the book's text: the first two chapters of Genesis, plus the first page of the third chapter, all printed entirely in Czech. The student in question, Jindrich Kucera, studied under Frantisek Kysela at the Museum's school of applied arts. The influence of Kysela's own cubist book designs are here on full display, in a uniquely radical form, especially to adorn such a revered text. The resulting publication captures a moment of artistic daring, one that could have perhaps been swallowed by the imminent world war. Paper covers of original publication bound in at rear. Fine, bound in full black morocco with strong giltwork to covers and spine. Housed in slipcase covered in patterned paper.